Information about spectrum frequencies and allocations

Spectrum Frequencies Information for industry
Published: 13 June 2024

More information about how radio spectrum is allocated in the UK, including links to important documents.

Frequencies and allocations

Ofcom's Spectrum Information System provides information on how radio spectrum is issued in the UK, including the types of Wireless Telegraphy (WT) Act licences available from Ofcom and details of tradable licences.

Our Interactive Spectrum Map is an easy way to browse and search how different spectrum bands are used in the United Kingdom.

The European Frequency Information System allows you to search for and compare spectrum use across Europe.

VNS – Voluntary National Specification 2030/8/3 (PDF, 325.0 KB)
5.8 GHz Wireless Access Systems operating in the 5725 – 5850 MHz band and systems where channels overlap into the 5725 – 5730 MHz band

Interface requirements (IRs)

IR 2000: Point-to-Point Fixed Wireless Systems Operating in Fixed Service Frequency Bands Administered by Ofcom (PDF, 207.6 KB)

IR 2001, IR 2003 and IR 2004 were replaced by IR 2044 on 7 March 2005.

IR 2005: Wideband Transmission Systems operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM Band and Using Wide Band Modulation Techniques (PDF, 90.4 KB)

IR 2006 has been replaced by IR 2030.

IR 2007: Fixed Broadband Services operating in the frequency range 5725-5850 MHz (PDF, 215.1 KB)

IR 2009 has been replaced by IR 2030.

IR 2010 was replaced by IR 2044 on 7 March 2005.

IR 2011: Analogue and digital cordless telephony service (PDF, 133.0 KB)

IR 2012 and IR 2013 were replaced by IR 2044 on 7 March 2005.

IR 2014: Public Wireless Networks (PDF, 140.0 KB)

IR 2015: Spectrum Access in the 3400 to 4009 MHz band (PDF, 122.3 KB)

IR 2016: Land mobile satellite systems (PDF, 233.1 KB)

IR 2018 was replaced by IR 2044 on 7 March 2005.

IR 2019: Third Generation Mobile (PDF, 140.2 KB)

IR 2020: Radar 9 GHz Band (non-SOLAS) in the Maritime Radionavigation Service for ships and shore stations (PDF, 123.5 KB)

IR 2021: VHF Transmitters and Receivers for use at Coast Stations in the Maritime Mobile Service (PDF, 99.9 KB)

IR 2022: Broadcast transmitters operating in frequency bands administered by Ofcom (PDF, 587.4 KB)

IR 2023: Transmitters and receivers in the MF/HF bands for use at coast stations in the maritime mobile service (PDF, 111.1 KB)

IR 2024: Portable radiotelephone equipment in the maritime mobile service operating in the VHF bands (for non-GMDSS applications only) (PDF, 87.1 KB)

IR 2025: Shipborne automatic identification system in the VHF band of the maritime mobile service (PDF, 124.7 KB)

IR 2026: VHF radiotelephone equipment for general communications and associated equipment for Class 'D' Digital Selective Calling (DSC) (PDF, 98.5 KB)
IR 2026 was rebranded on 22 May 2009.

IR 2027 (FM) (PDF, 109.5 KB)

IR 2027.2 (AM/ SSB/ DSB) (PDF, 166.6 KB)

IR 2028: Amateur Radio Licences - Foundation, Intermediate and Full (PDF, 226.5 KB)

IR 2029: UK Radio Interface Requirement 2029 for Maritime Emergency Position indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) intended for use on the frequency 121,5MHz or the frequencies 121,5 MHz and 243 MHz for homing purposes only (PDF, 133.2 KB)

IR 2030: Licence Exempt Short Range Devices (PDF, 921.8 KB)

IR 2031: For Racons (3GHz and 9GHz) in the maritime radionavigation service (PDF, 82.0 KB)

IR 2032: For transmission of differential correction signals of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (DGNSS) from Maritime Radio stations in the Frequency Bands 162.4375-162.4625 and 163.0125-163.03125 MHz (PDF, 106.8 KB)

IR 2033: For a universal shipborne automatic identification system using time division multiple access in the VHF band of the maritime mobile service for use at coast station and unmanned maritime buoys (PDF, 117.7 KB)

IR 2034: For Radio Beacons of the Maritime Radiodetermination Service in the Frequency Band 283.5-315 kHz (PDF, 115.0 KB)

IR 2035: Maritime UHF on-board communications systems and equipment (PDF, 124.9 KB)

IR 2037: Performance parameters for fixed UHF network for telemetry, telecontrol or data services (PDF, 119.7 KB)

IR 2038: Programme Making and Special Events (PDF, 216.1 KB)

IR 2040 and IR 2041 were replaced by IR 2043 on 16 February 2005.

IR 2042: Maritime Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) intended for use with the COSPAS-SARSAT (PDF, 114.8 KB)

IR 2043: Broadband Fixed Wireless Access radio systems operating in the 28 GHz frequency band (PDF, 128.9 KB)
This replaced IR 2040 and IR 2041 on 16 February 2005.

IR 2044: Business Radio Land Mobile Services (PDF, 176.2 KB)

IR 2045: Concurrent Spectrum Access (PDF, 177.0 KB)

IR 2046: Spectrum Access Devices operating in the 1785 – 1805 MHz band (PDF, 126.1 KB)

IR 2047: Spectrum Access 10 GHz (PDF, 119.2 KB)

IR 2048: Spectrum Access 28 GHz (PDF, 120.7 KB)

IR 2049: Spectrum Access 32 GHz (PDF, 119.7 KB)

Related content

The United Kingdom Frequency Allocation Table

The United Kingdom Frequency Allocation Table (UKFAT) details the uses (referred to as 'allocations') to which various frequency bands are put to the UK.

Television transmitter location maps

These maps detail the locations of all of the transmitters within broadcasters’ regions. The maps have been published to provide guidance for industry and viewers on when switchover is going to happen in a particular area.

Licence-exempt devices

24 GHz wideband Vehicle Radar regulations are set in accordance with the European commission Decision 2005/50/EC. These apparatus are only fitted to new vehicles. There are restrictions on the numbers of units that can come into service within the European Union. Coordination is required between vehicle manufacturers and administrations, for the use of these apparatus. No other use is permitted.

Rate this page

Thank you for your feedback.

We read all feedback but are not able to respond. If you have a specific query you should see other ways to contact us.

Was this page helpful?
Back to top